Doin it really tough. Knew this was going to be hard so dont know why so supprised. What a bloody day!!! Started off pretty great and confident. To be honest it felt good to be the one in control for a change and not having my life dictated to me by a cardboard box containing cigarettes. So plodded along quite nicely untill this arvo. My 6 yr old used his superior radar skills and detected imediately that I was feeling a little tense and vulnerable and quite effortlessly picked away at my central nervous system, stripping me of all my strength and energy that I was trying to put into fighting my cravings. After fighting with him over doing his homework, how many after school snacks he was going to eat, what we were going to have for dinner, when we were going to have dinner, how we were going to have dinner, getting into the bath, getting out of the bath, putting pjs on.....oh and the list goes on, I have been left in quite a weak frazzled state. During this whole sagga I have had the 4 month old baby being very unsettled and have been back and forth into her to try to re-settle her (that radar thing must be in the genes). I am not very happy. Thing is, is that this is usually a daily struggle in my house and unfortunately DH is not always here to help, like tonight. So when all goes quiet it is finally my time to relax and de-stress for the night. This is usually done in the form of a ciggie and a lovely hot cup of tea out on my front veranda where all you can hear is the crickets singing and the dogs barking. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! [b]BUT[/b]I am a non smoker now. Just excuse me while I pull my hair out. I need to find another way to relax and get that very much needed wind down, me time. I can say that although I only joined this forum yesterday I had a huge sense of relief as I logged on and made my way to the discussion board. Already I have been passed on so many well wishes and encouragement. KEEP IT COMING. I NEED IT. Anyway another day. Another hour and another minute I didnt have a smoke and I AM proud of myself. I am eating everything in sight and I am doing everything I can to try to stay calm. [b]I CAN DO THIS. [/b] Thanks for listening. I feel much better now thank you very much!! ;) Jo xx [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [

Your description of your veranda sounds lovely. Wish I was there so I could sit out there on it with you. We could talk and relax together and discover many more wonderful things because our minds are not preoccupied with smoking anymore. I have not been quit long, but I have already become so much more aware of things around me. My senses are coming alive. It is truly a wonderful thing. I feel like a baby again almost. I have always loved the peacefulness of nature ... I never realized how much of it's beauty I was missing until I quit. When the cravings would hit, I would concentrate on all the details of nature around me ... it would help fight the mental craving ... because my mind would get so wrapped around the intricacies of what was going on around me. It was relaxing and the discoveries are so ... I can't explain it ... they are so ... I don't know ... like being born ... like coming alive ... like a new me being born, blossoming, growing ... I find that when we dare to question our perspective and change it ... it makes the battle so much easier and our lives so much richer. I hope you have a wonderful day. Remember, we are all here for each other. And also a big Congrats on your decision to quit and the beginning of a new & improved you! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 614 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $80 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41

HOLD ON! Your doing great and you will get through this rough time. I believe in you! The stress will be there weather you smoke or not, like you said you need to find another way to relax! I know people will have some ideas for you! I just stay calm and watch TV or go for a walk or play ball with my son...etc. This too shall pass....you can do this! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 17 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 348 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $76.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52

Mummy, Times your story by 3 kids and a full time job. It's really hard to not smoke sometimes. I have my days where I just want to move out and go somewhere else. But I do know that no matter how in the crapper things are, I don't want to smoke and ruin everything I have worked for. You still need to have your cup of tea, but maybe you need a babysitter once in awhile if DH is going to be not home a lot. For your own sanity. It takes a lot of time, energy and gumption to make a quit work. It's really exhausting and when one is a little short tempered, it's really a bad situation. Try not to let the kids get you down, try explaning that you can't argue with them today because you're not having such a great day. Keep it simple. Take your time out when you need it! Or make the tea a mixed drink. LOL CobenFan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,165 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $238 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

Oh man, Mummy!! I thought you'd been in my house at nighttime!! ;p That is the story that I go through as well. It is very difficult with more than one young child at hand. Many people forget just how demanding little ones are. I am here with you though. I have a 7 yr old, and my youngest just turned 4 two weeks ago. I listen to me battle both of them, and then listen to them battle eachother. Deep breathing is a life saver. Not only for cravings, but stress too. I also signed up for a Pilates class. Once a week, the hubby has to watch the kids for 1 hour. That is the ONLY me time I get. A hot bubble bath sounds nice. Maybe take up some sewing, or needle crafts, or any other crafts to keep your hands busy. A nice way to introduce your veranda back into your life, without smoking that is. Take care. You are doing a great job!! I promise, it will get better!! ;) 4my2girls [b][i][color=Maroon]What Consumes Your Thoughts Controls Your Life[/b][/i][/color] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 88 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,654 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $287.76 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 15

Mummy22, Congratulations on making it through a tough crave! You're doing awesome and have a lot to be proud of! I agree that you need "you" time to wind down and relax. Make sure that you are rewarding yourself along the way. Don't let yourself feel denied because you're not smoking. It's very important to let your brain know that NOT smoking is rewarding too! So have a nice cup of tea, take a nice long bath once the kids are asleep... do something for yourself so your brain can know how great it is to not smoke too! You're doing an awesome job! Keep it up! Crave the Quit! Pam [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/28/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 216 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,410 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $892.08 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 19